[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1995, Book I)]
[March 21, 1995]
[Pages 380-381]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Letter to Congressional Leaders on Deployment of United States
Armed Forces to Haiti
March 21, 1995

Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr. President:)
    On September 21, 1994, I reported to the Congress that on September 
19, 1994, U.S. forces under the command of the Commander in Chief, U.S. 
Atlantic Command, were introduced into Haitian territory following an 
agreement successfully concluded by former President Jimmy Carter, 
Senator Sam Nunn, and General Colin Powell and as part of the 
Multinational Force (MNF) provided for by United Nations Security 
Council Resolution (UNSCR) 940 of July 31, 1994. I am providing this 
update of events in Haiti (Operation ``Uphold Democracy'') consistent 
with the War Powers Resolution to ensure that the Congress is kept fully 
informed regarding events in Haiti.
    At their peak last September and into October, U.S. forces assigned 
to the MNF in Haiti numbered just over 20,000. Approximately 2,000 non-
U.S. personnel from 27 nations also participated in the initial stages 
of the MNF. Over the last 6 months, U.S. forces gradually have been 
reduced, consistent with the establishment of a secure and stable 
environment called for by UNSCR 940, such that they currently number 
just under 5,300. Non-U.S. forces--both MNF and International Police 
Monitors (IPM)--currently number approximately 2,800. When the 
transition to the United Nations Mission in Haiti (UNMIH) authorized by 
UNSCR 975 of January 30, 1995, is complete on March 31, 1995, 
approximately 2,500 U.S. forces will remain in Haiti as the U.S. 
contribution to UNMIH's force structure. Following transition to UNMIH, 
non-U.S. forces will total approximately 3,500, for a total force of 
approximately 6,000. In addition, a U.N. civilian police monitor 
component of UNMIH will number approximately 900.
    In January, the United Nations Security Council determined that a 
secure and stable environment had been established in Haiti, based upon 
assessments from the MNF Commander and the U.N. Secretary General, and 
recommendations from the MNF Member States. As to the duration of the 
deployment, it is anticipated that the entire U.N. security mission, 
including U.S. forces, will withdraw from Haiti not later than February 
1996. Presidential elections are scheduled for November

[[Page 381]]

1995 and the inauguration will be held February 7, 1996.
    Overall, Haiti has remained calm and relatively incident-free since 
the deployment of U.S. and MNF forces. The level of political violence 
has decreased substantially since the departure of the de facto 
government. There is normal activity in the streets, and in stark 
contrast to when MNF forces first arrived, people are able to go outside 
at night due to a more secure environment. The number of weapons in 
Haiti also has been significantly reduced. Early in its deployment, the 
MNF took control of heavy and crew-served weapons belonging to the FAd'H 
(The Haitian Armed Forces). The MNF is also administering a weapons buy-
back, seizure, and reduction program that has thus far yielded over 
33,000 weapons, including hand grenades.
    Thus far, there have been only five incidents involving attacks on 
or gunfire by U.S. forces. On September 24, 1994, a U.S. Marine Corps 
squad exchanged gunfire with members of the FAd'H at the police 
headquarters in Cap Haitien. One Marine was wounded, and ten Haitians 
were killed. On October 2, an unidentified individual fired shots over a 
wall in Les Cayes, wounding an American soldier. On October 14, a member 
of the FAd'H was wounded by U.S. Special Forces when he burst from his 
barricaded room and ran towards a U.S. soldier during a confrontation in 
Belladere. On December 26, U.S. forces came under fire during a 
demonstration by disgruntled former members of the FAd'H outside FAd'H 
General Headquarters. After receiving fire, the MNF fired on the 
Headquarters resulting in several Haitian, but no U.S. casualties. 
Finally, on January 12, 1995, a two-man Special Forces team was fired on 
at a toll booth south of Gonaives. One U.S. soldier was killed and 
another injured in the incident. The Haitian gunman was also killed.
    I have taken the measures described above to further the national 
security interests of the United States. I have ordered the continued 
deployment of U.S. forces to the MNF pursuant to my constitutional 
authority to conduct foreign relations and as Commander in Chief and 
Chief Executive.
    I remain committed to consulting closely with the Congress, and I 
will continue to keep the Congress fully informed regarding this 
important deployment of our forces.
    Sincerely,

                                                      William J. Clinton

Note: Identical letters were sent to Newt Gingrich, Speaker of the House 
of Representatives, and Strom Thurmond, President pro tempore of the 
Senate. This letter was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on 
March 22.